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EasyJet urges customers to return to UK as it axes flights
EasyJet has confirmed it is axing flights from the end of this week, after which it will operate only a small handful of key domestic and international routes.
The airline is urging passengers overseas to switch to one of its repatriation flights, which will operate until 10 January.
From Sunday, it said it will operate only a few flights, focusing on ‘maintaining essential connectivity between key cities in the UK, including domestic services from London, Bristol, Birmingham, Liverpool, Newcastle, Belfast and Scotland.
It will also operate ‘a small number’ of international routes.
The move comes as England enters into a third national lockdown, which is expected to last at least until mid-February. Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove said today there might not be any easing of restrictions until March.
The latest lockdown includes a ban on non-essential travel, although the Government said people already overseas could remain until the end of their holiday.
In a statement, easyJet said: "We will be operating flights up to and including the 10th January focused on repatriating any customers who need to return to the UK. We urge customers needing to return to transfer onto these flights as soon as possible as options to travel after this date will be reduced.
"We are contacting customers whose flights are cancelled with their options and all customers unable to travel as a result of the lockdown restrictions, whether their flights are cancelled or scheduled to operate, can transfer their flights to a later date for free, or receive a voucher or a refund."
It added: "It is clear that testing will continue to be important to keeping people moving when travel is possible and we continue to push for work to be done on the efficacy of rapid testing technologies like antigen and LAMP testing making it easier, less expensive and less onerous for customers.
"Alongside the welcome roll-out of the vaccine, this will play a vital role in enabling normal life to resume; including travelling again for work, to visit friends and family, or for a much-needed holiday."
By Linsey McNeill, Editor (UK)
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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